Strongly nonlinear internal soliton load on a small vertical circular cylinder in two-layer fluids

The solutions of MCC theory are used to investigate larger-amplitude strongly nonlinear internal soliton load on a small surface-piercing circular cylinder in two-layer fluids. By comparing the wave profiles and instantaneous horizontal velocities calculated by MCC theory with those of KdV theory and experimental data, we verify the validity of MCC theory for larger-amplitude strongly nonlinear internal soliton. The accelerations are computed, and then force and torque on a small cylinder are estimated based on Morison's formula for both MCC and KdV theories. Computed results show that the internal soliton force and torque become more and more large and wide with the increase of amplitude for MCC theory. The location of torque crest calculated by MCC theory departs from origin (moving to the right) as the amplitude grows and whenever the inertial term is included or not, the wave forces computed based on the two theories both have small discrepancies for the same amplitude, but when the inertial term is included, the torque obtained by MCC theory will be much larger and the torque obtained by KdV still have a small discrepancy. The reasons are presented in detail. The internal wave force will be underestimated if the traditional KdV theory is used. Therefore, ocean engineers should consider the large-amplitude strongly nonlinear internal soliton load on marine construct carefully. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.